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Minister releases investigation report on the Town of Port au Choix Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, announced today that an operational and financial investigation into the Town of Port au Choix has been completed and has not turned up any evidence of wrongdoing. "The Town of Port au Choix and the Concerned Citizens Committee requested that we carry out this investigation last November focusing on the current council," said Minister Byrne. "Our staff looked back through public records dated to 2000 and also conducted meetings with several groups in the community including council, the Concerned Citizens Committee and individual residents. From the findings, there was nothing which suggested that the current council has been operating outside of its mandate. There is absolutely no evidence of wrongdoing." A number of issues were raised in the days leading up to the report such as councillors voting as a block, council conducting private meetings to discuss council business, illegal issuance of permits and the financial position which the town finds itself in. However, the investigation has determined that these issues are not significant. "I have stated time and time again that I would only consider dismissing council if there was hard evidence to justify it. The democratic way is through a general election and we are just eight months away from that event. I sincerely hope that all residents of Port au Choix exercise their democratic right to vote at that time. I would also encourage residents, if they are interested, to run for municipal office," said Minister Byrne. Media contact: Vanessa Colman-Sadd, Communications, (709) 729-1983, 682-6593 2005 02
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